> The thing is a friend of mine burned the pvc insulator that seperates
> the force12 elements from the boom due to high voltages at the top of
> the tower when running high power.
>
That is a common problem.
Ground each of the elements to the boom near the element to
insulation junction. Use a choke coil of about 15-20 turns of #16 or
heavier insulated wire about 1" or 2" in diameter wound in a single
layer solenoid clamped with stainless hose clamps between the element
and the boom.
That will allow the elements to float for higher bands, and be a
virtual short circuit on 160. It will likely be a bit better for
lighting and other problems, and stop worries about trying to beef up
insulation on the elements.
It is a much better fix to do this than anything else.
73, Tom W8JI
W8JI@contesting.com
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